Covell inspires Sharks

Unfashionable winger Luke Covell has celebrated a new one-year deal by setting up three tries in Cronulla's 28-22 disposal of North Queensland in appalling conditions at Toyota Stadium.

Covell, the NRL's leading point-scorer, showed great skills to lay on a hat-trick of four-pointers through kicks in general play.

Brett Kearney (20th minute), Brett Seymour (44th) and Terrence Seu Seu (63rd) all profited from the experienced winger's vision.

Covell's man-of-the-match performance capped a memorable week in which he agreed terms for another season after a protracted negotiation process.

The Kiwi international said of the three tries: "It was one of those nights where it was coming off."

The Sharks' victory lifts them into the top two for at least 24 hours.

Ricky Stuart's men will stay there if Souths upset Melbourne on Sunday night.

Cronulla had first use of a stiff southerly but conceded points after just six minutes.

Cowboys centre Ashley Graham showed great skill to pick up a loose pass in the wet and slippery conditions and score out wide to give the visitors a 4-0 lead.

The Sharks took a while to get going but when they did they landed three tries in eight minutes.

Ben Ross trailed a Brett Kimmorley kick into the in-goal, falling on the ball after Johnathan Thurston made a mess of grounding it.

Covell's conversion handed Cronulla the advantage 6-4.

Four minutes later full-back Kearney claimed a terrific try to extend Cronulla's lead.

It started with Seymour opening up a blindside passage for Covell, who centre kicked as the defence converged.

Kearney snatched the ball centimetres inside the deadball line for a quality four-pointer.

When big prop Kade Snowden trampled over the top of Ray Cashmere and completed a bullocking 20m run to the line, the Sharks were on their way to an 18-4 lead.

Despite running into the breeze, the home side was the first to score after the interval via bizarre circumstances.

Kimmorley's crossfield kick was allowed to bounce and appeared headed over the sideline before Covell somehow hooked it infield with his left boot for the trailing Seymour to win the race to the ball.

In the 63rd minute Covell got in on the act again, racing down the left touchline before kicking infield for Seu Seu to score.

Covell landed the conversion for a 28-4 lead.

Three late Cowboys tries gave the Sharks a late scare but time ran out for the visitors.

Cronulla 28
Tries: Ross, Kearney, Snowden, Seymour, Seu Seu
Goals: Covell 4

North Queensland 22
Tries: Graham, Tronc, Scott, T Williams
Goals: J Williams 3

Sportal Player of the Year
3 – Luke Covell (Sharks)
2 – Luke Douglas (Sharks)
1 – Brett Kearney (Sharks)